The word culture, from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root meaning "to cultivate", generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. Different definitions of "culture" reflect different theoretical bases for understanding, or criteria for evaluating, human activity. Anthropologists most commonly use the term "culture" to refer to the universal human capacity to classify, codify and communicate their experiences symbolically. This capacity is long been taken as a defining feature of the genus Homo. However, primatologists such as Jane Goodall have identified aspects of culture among our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.Goodall, J. 1986. The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior.

Defining "culture"

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BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Thai PM plans crisis referendum
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:51:05 -0000
Thailand's prime minister announces plans to hold a referendum in an effort to defuse the ongoing political crisis.
China admits quake school defects
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:50:29 -0000
China admits there could have been construction problems with some schools that collapsed during the Sichuan earthquake.
Japanese leadership race hots up
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:44:29 -0000
Three ruling party lawmakers indicate they could challenge front-runner Taro Aso to replace Japanese PM Yasuo Fukuda.
'Pumpkin' father says not guilty
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:49:28 -0000
The father of "Pumpkin", a little girl found abandoned in Australia, pleads not guilty to killing his wife at an Auckland court.
US doubts N Korea nuclear claims
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:40:06 -0000
Officials in the US express doubt over reports claiming that North Korea is reassembling its nuclear facilities.
Drugs scandal hits sumo wrestlers
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:28:43 -0000
Japan's ancient sport is shaken after two wrestlers test positive for marijuana and another is arrested.

NYT > Asia Pacific

Violence in India Is Fueled by Religious and Economic Divide
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:51:02 -0000
Recent anti-Christian attacks in Orissa, a remote and destitute state in eastern India that has long suffered from government neglect, were among the worst in decades.
American Forces Attack Militants on Pakistani Soil
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:23:01 -0000
Coalition forces opened fire in a village near the Afghan border, killing seven people, the Pakistani military said.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Unhurt After Shooting
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:26:54 -0000
Shots were fired at Yousaf Raza Gilani’s motorcade, but the prime minister was not in the procession.

L.A. Times - Asia

Russian nationalist advocates Eurasian alliance against the U.S.
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:54:00 -0700
Aleksander Dugin, a popular theorist in hard-line circles, advocates an alliance between the former Soviet Union and the Middle East. He says Georgia crisis could be start of a real conflict with U.S. Writer, political activist and father figure for contemporary Russian nationalism, Aleksandr Dugin is the founder of Russia's International Eurasian Movement and a popular theorist among Russia's hard-line elite. He envisions a strategic bloc comprising the former Soviet Union and the Middle East to rival the U.S.-dominated Atlantic alliance. The Times interviewed Dugin this week at his Moscow office, a room draped with flags bearing the slogan "Pax Russica." The following are excerpts.
Cage takes a risk in 'Bangkok Dangerous'
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Violent Thai-language 'Bangkok' is remade for the U.S. NICOLAS CAGE didn't wind up in Bangkok by accident. As the Oscar-winning actor explains it, there were reasons both personal and professional that compelled him to change gears after the mega-dollar success of the family-friendly action-adventure "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" and travel across the globe in pursuit of a new career iteration. Not least was the impulse to shake up his image by appearing in a foreign-made film.
Thailand protesters unmoved by emergency
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
A mass strike fails to materialize but tens of thousands remain at a government compound in Bangkok as they seek Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's resignation. Bangkok shopkeeper Rai Varopaspiman is dead tired. Months ago, she joined anti-government protesters and began camping outside the gates of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's administrative compound, demanding his resignation.

Asia - Pacific - International Herald Tribune

Prime minister proposes Thai referendum
By SETH MYDANS Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:29:02 -0000
The prime minister of Thailand has proposed a nationwide referendum to seek a resolution to anti-government demonstrations that have paralyzed his government for the past 10 days.
Thai protest leader wants to reduce voters' power
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:40:05 -0000
Sondhi Limthongkul says he is fighting to save Thai democracy from what he calls the corrupt politicians who have abused it to remain in power.
China suggests building defects led to quake deaths
By EDWARD WONG Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:29:02 -0000
A government committee said Thursday that a rush to build schools during China's economic boom might have led to shoddy construction that resulted in the deaths of thousands of students during a devastating earthquake in May.
After U.S. raid, Pakistan says it will defend territorial integrity
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:29:02 -0000
The United States, a major source of aid to nuclear-armed Pakistan, has not officially commented on the raid but there is little, if any, doubt it was carried out by U.S. troops.
NATO accused of civilian deaths inside Pakistan
By Pir Zubair Shah, Eric Schmitt and Jane Perlez Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:26:56 -0000
Coalition forces opened fire in a village near the Afghan border, killing seven people, the Pakistani military said.
North Korea notified U.S. of plans to restore plant
By CHOE SANG-HUN Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:29:02 -0000
American and South Korean envoys head to China for talks, but they warn against overreacting.

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